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← Staffordshire Women's Aid

2024-03-31-accounts

STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Charity Number: 1155364

STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

CONTENTS
Reference and Administrative Information
Trustees’ Report
Independent Auditors’ Report to the Trustees
Statement of Financial Activities
Balance Sheet
Cash Flow Statement
Notes to the Financial Statements		 PAGE
1
2 – 14
15 – 17
18
19
20
21 - 32

STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

CHARITY NUMBER 1155364(England and Wales)
REGISTERED ADDRESS Staffordshire Women’s Aid
PO Box 2387
Stafford
Staffordshire
ST16 3WS
TRUSTEES Claire Rowcliffe – Chair
Karen Morrey – Vice Chair
Linda Horne – Treasurer
Sue Shirt
Trish Rowlands
Sue Howard -Joined 14 July 2023
Rizwana Yousaf - Joined 27 November 2023
AUDITORS Lawton Bradford Accountants
Chartered Certified Accountants and Statutory Auditors
7 Marconi Gate
Staffordshire Technology Park
Stafford
ST18 0FZ
CHIEF EXECUTIVE Charlotte Almond
BANKERS Unity Trust Bank PLC
PO Box 7193
Planetary Road
Willenhall
WV1 9DG

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STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID TRUSTEE’S REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Trustees present their Annual Report and audited Financial Statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published in October 2019.

The Trustees named on Page 1 have served throughout the year. The appointment of Trustees is governed by the Constitution of the Charity. There must be at least 3 charity Trustees. The Board of Trustees is authorised to recruit and appoint new Trustees to fill vacancies as and when necessary. The charity Trustees shall decide how their meetings are to be called, and what notice is required.

As from 1[st] April 2014, Staffordshire Women’s Aid began operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, although the organisation has been a registered charity since 25th November 1976.

INVESTMENT POWERS

The Constitution authorises the Trustees to make and hold investments using the general funds of Staffordshire Women’s Aid. The Charity’s policy is to invest any surplus funds in low-risk deposit account investments to ensure that funds invested are in a liquid form to facilitate easy access for meeting variations in funding stream income.

The Trustees continue to review the charity’s investment policy on an on-going basis.

For the year ended 31 March 2024, the Charity invested £284,924 (2023-£271,497) in deposit accounts, earning interest totaling £5,505 as shown in note 5. The return on the investment has achieved our objective of generating funds without undue risk.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

To relieve the distress and increase the safety of women and children who have suffered or are exposed to domestic and sexual violence and abuse, by the provision of support, advice, temporary accommodation and any other services or activities which may relieve their circumstances, and where required, we will support men in the same situation.

To relieve any woman or child in necessitous circumstances who may be temporarily homeless by making grants of money or providing or paying for items services or facilities and by the preservation and protection of their mental and physical health in such ways as shall relieve their need.

To educate the public in the causes and effects of domestic and sexual violence and the prevention thereof and to undertake or contribute to research into such matters and / or publish the useful results of such research.

The Trustees have reviewed the Charity Commission’s guidance to report on public benefit and the Charity’s aims and objects are consistent with this guidance. During the year, all the activities described in this report were undertaken for public benefit.

OUR VISION

A world where any form of Violence Against Women and Girls, and all forms of domestic and sexual violence are no longer tolerated.

OUR MISSION

To empower victims to become survivors, to live safely and to thrive.

OUR VALUES

Passion, Empowerment and Trust

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STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID TRUSTEE’S REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

OUR SOCIAL OBJECTIVES

  1. To increase the safety of victims of domestic and sexual violence, including children and young people, whether current, recent, or historical.

  2. To meet the immediate and longer term practical and emotional needs of victims of domestic and sexual violence.

  3. To empower those who have suffered, or are at risk of experiencing, domestic and sexual violence/and abuse to:

  4. Have choices and understand their rights.

  5. Improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

  6. Build confidence, aspirations, skills, and independence.

  7. To ensure that those impacted by domestic and sexual violence and abuse are given a voice in our communities.

  8. To educate, campaign, and raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence, and the widespread phenomenon of violence against women and girls, and its impact on individuals and communities.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE CHARITY

The Board of Trustees provides governance and strategic management to Staffordshire Women’s Aid. The recruitment process for Trustees aims to build a Board that has a strong commitment to the Vision, Mission and Values of the organisation, with a range of managerial and governance skills, an appropriate understanding of the legal responsibilities of Trusteeship and experience in making decisions as part of a Board. Recruitment of Trustees involves openly advertising for places on the Board linking into our own volunteer project and a range of local volunteer infrastructure organisations. An application pack is sent out to prospective Trustees, and a successful application will be followed by an interview with the Chair and another Trustee, or the Chief Executive Officer. A successful candidate following interview will be asked to attend at least 3 board meetings, which represents a probationary and induction period. During this period, induction and training of new Trustees is carried out in accordance with the organisation’s Trustee and Recruitment Policy. If this process is successful, and it is agreed by the Board, the probationary trustee is invited to become a full trustee. During the year, the Board appointed 2 new Trustees and recruited a further 2 potential new Trustees who are currently within their probationary period. The charity seeks to represent strong women’s leadership through an all women Board of Trustees, as well as volunteer and staff team.

Major risks have been reviewed and systems or procedures have been established to manage those risks. The Trustees delegate day to day responsibility for running the organisation to its Chief Executive Officer who provides leadership and strategic management, and who is supported by a management and administrative team. A range of free, user-led, specialist support is provided by a team of staff and volunteers, who also train and raise awareness within communities.

The Trustees would like to acknowledge and thank all the staff and volunteers for their hard work and commitment over the last 12 months, and for their contribution towards achieving our mission to empower victims to become survivors, to live safely and to thrive.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

During the year we are proud to have continued our work supporting those living with, fleeing, or recovering from the impact of domestic and sexual violence in Staffordshire. Forty-eight years on we remain a grass roots, user-led organisation, placing at the heart of our work the experiences of those we support.

The Trustees consider the performance of the Chairty to be in line with its charitable objects, vison, mission, values and social objectives, and to be most satisfactory as outlined below:

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STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID TRUSTEE’S REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

24-Hour Helpline

The Helpline provides emotional support and specialist information, advice, and guidance on a range of issues for victims of domestic and sexual violence and abuse 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In addition, the helpline coordinates all referrals (self-referrals, agency referrals, email, telephone) into our services. One of the most important functions of the helpline is that, when our refuge is full, we assist women fleeing domestic violence who contact us to secure alternative refuge provision, this can be anywhere in the country and takes several hours to arrange. During the year we have continued to publicise the Helpline number through local community networks, businesses, publicity material and social media.

Our highly trained, committed team of volunteers gave 2,778 hours of their time to run the helpline during 2023/24 providing a lifeline for victims of abuse in our community. We are incredibly proud of our Helpline volunteers, they represent the very core of what we stand for - listening, believing and giving victims a voice. The Trustees acknowledge and appreciate the hard work which goes into keeping this vital service running and express their gratitude to all those who freely volunteer their time to support this service and our community.

During 2023/24 we responded to 2,080 calls via our 24-Hour Helpline.

Our refuge, Forward House, provides safe accommodation for women and children who need to flee their homes because of domestic violence. We believe that a refuge should provide an environment in which women and children are able to access the choices and facilities which enable them to make the complex journey from Victim to Survivor. Alongside high quality, appropriate accommodation, this can only be possible with intense specialist support which is designed to meet the very diverse needs of the women and children using it. As a result, refuge’s not only save lives, they change lives.

We also provide a range of safe Dispersed Refuge Accommodation within the community for those fleeing domestic violence, including male victims. The self-contained nature of our accommodation means it is possible for us to accommodate victims with a more diverse range of needs, who may otherwise be excluded or unable to access communal refuges.

Our specialist Refuge Support Practitioners provide practical and emotional support, and work to re-build the confidence and self-esteem which so many women and children lose because of domestic violence. They provide specialist support to help women recover from the abuse they have experienced, secure suitable long-term accommodation and build their skills and resilience for independent living, enabling them, and their children, to thrive. Resettlement work will continue for about 8 weeks after a woman has left the refuge to ensure they are not left feeling isolated and have settled well into their new home.

In October we were pleased to be awarded a contract from Staffordshire County Council to provide a range of specialist support services for adults and children who reside at Forward House Refuge or within our Dispersed Refuge Accommodation, in line with the statutory guidance on domestic abuse support within safe accommodation, until 31[st] March 2026, with the option to extend for a further year until 31[st] March 2027. After so many years of short term, uncertain funding, we are absolutely delighted to have been able to secure longer term funding, at an appropriate level, to ensure we can continue delivering high quality refuge provision for families fleeing domestic violence.

We would like to express our thanks for the support we have received from local community groups in organizing days out and for funding parties, celebrations, meals and other activities, including our Breakfast Club, for women and children

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at our refuge. In particular, we would like to thank Together Active who funded a range of inter-active outdoor play sessions over the summer at our local Wildlife Centre for families staying at the refuge. Such positive activities are often denied to women and children when living with an abusive relationship. This project enabled the families to make connections with each other and reduce feelings of isolation. It also helped create positive, happy memories, which is particularly important for children, and is key in helping to build emotional resilience in young people.

Mum of 4 children : “It was brilliant, the water play was amazing! Us mum’s enjoyed the fishing as much as the kids did”

Mum of 1 child : “I have never been somewhere like that before and I had never seen a frog in real life, we had a great time”

Mum of 2 children : “It was so lovely to go somewhere outdoors and to try something new with the girls, they had a great time and it was so nice to see them exploring new things”

During 2023/24 we received 503 referrals for refuge space. Of this, we accommodated 37 women and 82 children within our range of refuge accommodation, with 40 women and their children successfully completing service and resettling in long-term accommodation. In addition, we secured refuge for a further 160 families from Staffordshire.

Women’s Homelessness Service

The Women’s Homelessness Service is funded by Stafford Borough Council, Cannock Chase District Council and South Staffordshire District Council. A dedicated domestic abuse practitioner acts as a single point of contact for the Housing Options Teams across all 3 local authorities.

The aim of the role is to achieve better solutions for women at risk of homelessness, or who are homeless, due to domestic and/or sexual violence, such as speedier access to refuge, implementing safety measures and securing other accommodation and support solutions. As well as working intensively with victims of domestic abuse presenting to the local authorities as homeless, the project also works with the housing team and other homelessness agencies to provide appropriate support for female rough sleepers living with domestic/sexual abuse. It aims to engage this particularly vulnerable cohort in specialist support via the partnership since female rough sleepers are significantly less likely to approach SWA for support through established referral pathways such as the 24-hour help line.

There have been 73 referrals into this service in 2023/24. All women were offered advice, safety planning, signposting, multi-agency working and support in securing safe accommodation.

Survive Sexual Assault and Abuse Service provides a free, non-judgmental, and confidential service for adults, both male and female, children over the age of 4, and close family members/significant others who have been affected by sexual assault or abuse at any point during their lives across Staffordshire. Victims can seek support whether they report the crime to the police or not.

During the year we have successfully supported 682 men, women, trans adults and children aged between 4 - 78 years old through the ISVA, CHISVA and Family Support Service.

Since the service started in October 2020, Survive has successfully supported 2065 men, women, trans adults and children aged between 4 - 87 years old across Staffordshire through the ISVA, CHISVA and Family Support Service.

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ISVA and CHISVA Service

Our Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA) and Children’s Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (CHISVA) provide a diverse range of practical help, advice, and emotional support to victims of sexual violence and abuse. In addition, we have supported a number of families and individuals through the criminal justice system. We have provided support around pre-court visits, obtaining special measures, support with ABE video recordings, Section 28 cross examination recordings and victim impact statements. We have also supported individuals applying to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

We have continued to offer support sessions through face-to-face appointments and remote appointments by telephone or zoom. This has helped service users determine the type of support they would like and enabled greater accessibility to our service for those who work, have caring responsibilities or who don’t want to come to our resource centre/have a home visit. We have also provided one-to-one support to children and young people in over 50 schools and colleges across Staffordshire.

The Family Support Service

This service provides practical and emotional support to people who have been impacted by any form of sexual abuse against a close family member or significant other. It helps to meet the needs of victims and their families, providing accurate information on criminal justice processes, victims’ rights and referring to other agencies as appropriate.

Partnership Working in the Survive Sexual Assault and Abuse Service

We attend both the RASSO strategic and scrutiny meetings alongside partner agencies and regularly meet with other providers to improve partnership working to ensure the best possible response to victims of sexual violence in Staffordshire. Other partnership work includes:

Feedback from service users shows that they have felt believed and supported and have been provided with a safe space to talk about their trauma and receive the support they deserve.

“As a man I feel proud for accessing your service and cannot believe how supportive you have been, absolutely got me through and changed my life, cannot thank you enough.”

ISVA Service User

“Every single person at Women’s Aid is worth their weight in gold and I am forever grateful to you all. You have stood by me and supported me endlessly at the worst time in my life. Thank you!” ISVA Service User

“Our family was really suffering, I was finding it hard to know what to do. Thank you for being there to talk things through with, it really did make a difference.”

Family Support Service User

“I really like our sessions, you are not like other workers and teachers and that, I like you, and you helped me when I needed you.”

CHISVA Service User

In December, we were absolutely delighted to successfully secure a contract with the Staffordshire Commissioner to retain the Survive Sexual Assault & Abuse Service for a further 3 years, until 31[st] March 2027, with the option to extend for an additional 2 years until 31[st] March 2029.

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SWA Counselling Services

We have continued to further develop and deliver our therapeutic Counselling Service this year to victims of domestic and sexual violence. Counselling is an important part of the recovery process for victims of abuse, enabling service users to acknowledge their experiences and express their feelings in a safe and supported environment. We have continued to offer counselling through face-to-face appointments and remote appointments by telephone or zoom. Whilst most service users want face-to-face appointments, some prefer the option of remote counselling. The flexibility of remote counselling reduces travelling and the difficulties of getting to appointments, especially for those in work or those who have caring responsibilities.

During the year we were pleased to be able to secure funding through the Rape & Sexual Abuse Fund for an additional 2 Counsellors, one for adults and one for children, to help meet increasing numbers of referrals. In addition, we recruited and trained 6 counselling students on placement with us from Keele University and Buxton & Leek College. They have proved to be an invaluable addition to our counselling service providing up to thirty counselling sessions a week to our service users.

Due to the continued high demand for counselling, and despite increasing provision, we have continued to hold a waiting list throughout the year. The waiting time for adults is four months and for children and young people it is three months. We have introduced a number of measures to manage the waiting list and to ensure that service users are not left feeling unsupported. Helpline volunteers provide regular welfare calls to those on the waiting list offering emotional support and assessing if risks/needs have changed. We also offer an online self-help program called Taste of Recovery to those on the waiting list as an extra support whilst waiting for counselling.

During the year our team of qualified counsellors provided therapeutic counselling to 368 adults and 78 children.

We are extremely grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund, the Staffordshire Commissioner and the Ministry of Justice for funding our Counselling Service and helping us respond to the needs of victims of domestic and sexual violence in our community.

“My counsellor was amazing, I felt completely validated and heard during our sessions and excellent boundaries were put in place for the therapeutic relationship. She was able to give me different perspectives of what I was feeling.”

Counselling Service User

Fast Track Counselling

The Fast Track counselling service, funded by G4S, provides a dedicated counselling service to anyone who attends the SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) based in Stoke-on-Trent. All service users attending the SARC are able to access immediate trauma counselling for up to ten sessions. For service users who require more than ten sessions, their counselling continues through SWA‘s counselling service. Unfortunately at the end of the year G4S lost the contract to deliver SARC services in Staffordshire, as such this service will now be delivered by a new provider in 2024/25.

HMP Drake Hall

We are very pleased to have been able to continue our work in Drake Hall Prison offering weekly counselling sessions to women who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse.

Our partnership with Drake Hall has allowed us to continue to support their charity shop, which is run by the women, for the women in Drake Hall Prison. We are able to supply the charity shop with our surplus donations, and any funds raised are then donated to SWA. This way of working alongside Drake Hall has enabled us to raise awareness of our work within the prison and become more visible to those women who are vulnerable and impacted by violence against women.

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“It was so nice to be able to talk with no one listening. I've never told anyone what I told my counsellor before and she didn't judge me.”

Drake Hall Counselling Service User

“Having an hour a week to talk about everything I've been through really helps. I can see things differently now and I've stopped blaming myself for everything. I never thought I would get through my panics and shakes but now I'm controlling them.”

Drake Hall Counselling Service User

We offer the following range of community-based services meeting the needs of women at risk of, living with or recovering from any form of Violence Against Women and Girls to improve their safety, wellbeing, independence and resilience. These services are grounded in our view that violence against women and girls is both the cause and consequence of gender inequality. As an organisation we believe that by addressing some of the material disadvantages women face, and by providing opportunities to increase women’s equality, we are directly contributing to the prevention of VAWG and helping to reduce the long-term impact of violence and abuse.

Group Work

Over 430 women accessed one of our groups or workshops in 2023/24 to aid recovery, improve well-being and build self-esteem and skills, including:

Power to Change , an educational programme for women who have experienced violence and abuse. The programme focusses on assertiveness techniques, establishing boundaries and assessing abusive and healthy relationships as well as building self-esteem, confidence, and self-determination.

Our Well-Being Group , delivered in partnership with MPFT, has been co-designed with service users and is tailored to the needs of women who have experienced domestic and/or sexual violence and abuse. It provides guided, self-help techniques and tools to improve mental health and well-being and is delivered alongside Peer Volunteers.

During the year we introduced a new 12-week group programme called Own My Life to help women who have been subjected to trauma and abuse to build confidence and self-esteem, with the main aim being for women to feel empowered to gain control of their lives.

“I feel much more confident in myself”

“I’m going to research university courses that I can go on as my next steps, I would never have had the confidence to do that before the course.”

In addition to the structured group work programmes above, we have also delivered a range of group activities and workshops at our Women’s Centre to help reduce isolation and improve women’s confidence, health and well-being, including:

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Legal Clinic

Our partnership with Staffordshire University and Lewis Rogers Solicitors continues to provide a free, confidential, legal advice clinic once a month for victims of domestic and sexual violence and abuse.

In 2023/24, 24 women accessed the Legal Clinic for a range of issues, including Divorce, Child Contact, Family Law and Injunctions.

New Start 4U

New Start 4U Stafford & South Staffordshire is a partnership project led by Business Enterprise Support, and funded through The National Lottery Community Fund, that aims to support people living in Stafford and South Staffordshire who are out-of-work.

We are pleased to have been able to continue our work on this project throughout 2023/24 supporting 30 women into education, training, and employment. This also involves raising self-esteem and aspirations through tailored one-one support.

FITS for the Future Project

The FITS project aims to improve women’s personal independence, financial resilience and digital resources. The project provides tailored 1-1 support to meet service users identified needs to combat the impact of financial and economic abuse. In addition, we also deliver structured group work programmes allowing women to build their digital and financial skills, covering topics such as money management, budgeting skills and online banking. We also support women to access free IT training to improve their basic computer skills and have established links with local schemes that distribute reconditioned IT equipment. The Trustees would like to thank The Santander Foundation for their support in funding this project to meet the needs of women in our community.

In 2023/24, 65 women were supported through the FITS project.

Smallwood Grants

Staffordshire Women's Aid is an approved Community Grant Partner for the Smallwood Trust. This means we are able to provide grants of up to £1,000 to help women overcome financial adversity and improve their well-being. Through this project we have been able to assist 34 women accessing our services to improve their financial stability and relieve hardship during the year.

The Trustees would like to thank the Smallwood Trust for their continued support in helping women overcome financial adversity, this support is even more important at the moment given the cost-of-living crisis affecting so many of the women we work with.

Women’s Foodbank

Sadly, we continued to see a significant need for the Food Bank from women accessing our services over the last year. Our Food Bank provides food, toiletries, personal hygiene products, clothes, and baby equipment. We have also had several women in the last year who have been unable to buy birthday gifts for their children due to increasing levels of poverty.

Through our Food Bank we were also able to distribute Festive Hampers, Christmas gifts and Easter Eggs to families we support. It is thanks to the generosity of local businesses, community groups and individuals, and in particular our partnership with Rehome and Repurpose, that we have been able to continue to provide this invaluable service over the last year.

During 2023/24 we have supported 860 women and families through our Food Bank.

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Volunteer Project

Staffordshire Women’s Aid was established by a group of committed volunteers, and volunteers are still at the heart of what we do. Without their support, we would not be able to offer many of the services that we currently do. Our Board of Trustees also give of their time on a voluntary basis to help provide governance and oversight to our charity. During the year we recruited and trained 15 new volunteers to help run the helpline, legal clinic, group programmes and activities, resettlement support and the Food Bank. We value the time and dedication of all our volunteers, who each bring different skills and experiences to their roles.

Our highly trained and committed team of volunteers gave 4,216 hours of their time during 2023/24.

Research, Training and Awareness Raising

Alongside the provision of front-line services, we aim to create positive change in our communities through training, research, awareness raising and preventative education.

Over the year we have successfully continued to deliver a range of awareness raising activities, research and training as follows:

THE IMPACT WE HAVE MADE ON LIVES

We have been able to measure the difference our work makes during the year using Women’s Aid’s On Track Outcomes measuring tool. On-Track is an evidence-based tool for supporting and measuring change, and compliments our approach to service delivery which is victim centred, strengths based and outcome focused. It enables support

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practitioners, alongside their service users, to measure changes throughout their support journey. This not only empowers service users to identify individual progress, it also enables us to track how far we are progressing towards overall service outcomes.

During 2023/24:

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS IN THE YEAR

New Women’s Centre

Unfortunately for many women and children, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and rising economic uncertainty has meant they are even more vulnerable to violence and abuse. As a result, demand for all Staffordshire Women’s Aid services has increased over the last 3 years. Our holistic approach enables us to reach out and respond to some of the most vulnerable and isolated women and children in our communities, including those with the most complex and diverse needs such as language difficulties, mental ill-health, drug/alcohol issues, those living in poverty, social and rural isolation, older women and those with disabilities.

To help us meet the increased demand for services, and the increasing range of complex and multiple needs, we identified the need to expand our existing Women’s Centre model. As such, after much planning and consultation with staff, volunteers and service users, we moved to new premises during the summer. The new Women’s Centre not only provides an environment that is sensitive to the wide range of needs and experiences of the women we work with, but also enables us to respond to increased numbers of service users as well as broaden the range of therapeutic services/interventions that we are able to offer. The new centre is also far more accessible for service users with disabled parking and services delivered over one floor (previously delivered over 3 floors with no lift).

The new Women’s Centre provides a safe, gender responsive, trauma informed space enabling women to access a holistic range of community-based specialist support services to help them achieve long-term, positive change in their lives.

We were delighted to welcome our Patron, Lady Harrowby, to officially open the Women’s Centre.

The opening was attended by a number of our friends and supporters and provided us with an opportunity to not only showcase the new Centre but provide an insight into our work

As a Charity, we believe that we have a duty to demonstrate that our organisation and its work is endorsed by external quality standards so that our service users, staff and stakeholders can feel confident in our approach. We also recognise that there is always more to learn, therefore we take a pro-active approach towards the continuous improvement our services.

In January we were delighted to be awarded Women’s Aid National Quality Standards. Feedback identified that there were several areas of exemplary practice within Staffordshire Women’s Aid, in particular: It was noted that despite limited funding of, and access to, specialist mental health services, Staffordshire Women’s Aid consistently accepts referrals from survivors requiring advanced support and this should be commended . The panel heard that resettling

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survivors and promoting Stability, Resilience, Autonomy and Independence is key for Staffordshire Women’s Aid and that they have invested well across these standards with core principles of promoting long term independence. This approach was commended . The panel commended Staffordshire Women’s Aid on delivering strong financial performance with secure funding and income growth, diversifying funding and thereby reducing risk.

Given the significant growth of our counselling service over the last 3 years, we identified the need to introduce a Counselling & Wellbeing Lead this year to help us respond effectively to increased demand, build capacity and expertise, and ensure high quality service delivery. Trustees agreed to fund this role out of reserves initially for a period of 12 months while we seek longer term funding to sustain the role since we do not anticipate any reduction in demand.

In addition, during the year we embarked on a 2-year programme of training to build capacity and upskill our counselling team to increase our range of therapeutic interventions available to victims of abuse, including EMDR counselling, creative therapies and play therapy. This will allow us to reach out to a broader range of victims who may find it more difficult to access traditional forms of counselling, such as those whose first language isn’t English or younger children. This project is funded through NHS England and is delivered in partnership with the Commissioner’s office in response to the Sexual Assault & Abuse Mental Health Needs Assessment.

PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS

Future Challenges and Developments

The Board of Trustees are pleased to report that continuing steady growth, and the award of 2 new contracts during the year, will help the charity continue with increased sustainability in the next 12 months, and a wider reach in our local communities to those who need our support.

From April 2024, the contract to deliver the Survive Sexual Assault & Abuse Service will also cover Stoke-on-Trent, as well as Staffordshire, which represents a significant geographical expansion. We will deliver this service in partnership with local specialist providers SAVANA and Pathway to ensure all victims of sexual assault and abuse across Stokeon-Trent and Staffordshire can access the support they need when they need it.

There are 2 key funding streams from the Ministry of Justice that end 31st March 2025, and with a General Election imminent, resulting in a possible change of Government, there is some uncertainty whether these funding streams will continue.

This will affect many domestic and sexual violence organisations across the country. We are liaising closely with local commissioners around the impact of losing these funding streams and drawing up plans to mitigate the impact on service users. We are also campaigning and lobbying at a national level with other specialist organisations in the VAWG sector.

It is the charity’s aim to continue to thrive and work alongside our local communities, adapting our responses in a changing financial and social climate, always led by our Vision, Mission, Social Objectives and Values.

Related Parties

Staffordshire Women’s Aid is a fully affiliated member of the Women’s Aid Federation of England. FINANCIAL REVIEW

Total incoming resources for the year ended 31 March 2024 were £1,663,254 showing an upturn of 13.12% against the previous year of £1,470,357. The upturn was due to a new contract with Staffordshire County Council to deliver Refuge based specialist support services to adults and children

Total resources expended in the year amounted to £1,576,067 compared to £1,379,110 in the previous year, an increase of 14.28% compared to 6.1% in 2023. The increase in expenditure relates to the new contract highlighted above and the introduction of the Counselling & Wellbeing Lead.

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As a consequence of this there was a surplus of resources in the year of £47,187, which has resulted in total funds and net assets carried forward at 31st March 2024 of £701,778, of which £79,608 is restricted.

We would like to express our appreciation to all of our funders and supporters who enable us to continue our important work across Staffordshire. They enable the charity to achieve its objectives in ways which change the lives of those we support.

In addition, we would like to acknowledge the numerous donations made by individuals and community groups, either financial or in the form of food, clothing and other such items which help us support women and children. We would also like to acknowledge the time and care taken by individuals and community groups to make a difference to the women and children through, for example, wrapping and delivering Christmas gifts and preparing welcome bags for the Refuge residents, making one off donations and helping us run Breakfast Club and the Pantry. It is difficult to quantify the importance of such community support, but we know it means a great deal to the women and children we exist to support.

RISK MANAGEMENT

The Board of Trustees use a Risk Register, and its monitoring covers a range of key issues, including financial, organisational, operational and legal risks, and aims to ensure that the organisation takes and monitors actions to reduce identified risks as far as possible. The organisation also has a Business Continuity Policy which aims to ensure that in an unusual event that might impact upon our ability to deliver our services and run the organization, we have contingency plans in place.

RESERVES POLICY

It is the aim of Staffordshire Women’s Aid to maintain unrestricted funds at a level which equates to between three and six months unrestricted expenditure, which was between £394,017 and £788,034 in the year 2023-2024. The organisation and its Trustees are pleased to announce that we have succeeded in achieving this with the measures implemented in last year’s accounts.

We will continue to work towards the same success in 2024-25 by implementing the following as part of our Finance and Fundraising Strategy:

By implementing this strategy, we are aiming to achieve a position of being able to maintain unrestricted funds at a level equating to the costs of covering management, administration, and support for between three and six months by the financial year ending March 2025.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (New United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

Page 13

STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID TRUSTEE’S REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

d. State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. e. Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

APPROVAL:

14 November 2024

This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on ……………………………….

And signed on behalf by

…………………………………………….

Claire Rowcliffe (Chair)

…………………………………………….. Linda Horne (Treasurer)

Page 14

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Staffordshire Women’s Aid (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, The Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements, or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Page 15

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 13 the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with regulations made under section 154 of that Act.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

As part of the planning process:

The key procedures we undertake to detect irregularities including fraud during the audit include:

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

Page 16

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the FRC's website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditors/audit-assurance/auditor-sresponsibilities-for-the-audit-of-the-fi/description-of-the-auditor%E2%80%99s-responsibilities-for.This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

………………………………………….

Adele Lawton (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Lawton Bradford Accountants Limited Chartered Certified Accountants Registered Auditors 7 Marconi Gate Staffordshire Technology Park Stafford ST18 0FZ

Date: 20/11/2024

Page 17

SAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2024
2024
2024
Note
£
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
82,043
-
-
Other Income
4
-
-
-
Income from investment
5
5,505
-
-
Income from charitable activities
6
1,334,094
-
201,612
Total income and endownments
1,421,642
-
201,612
Expenditure on:
Cost of generating funds
7
7,786
-
-
Expenditure on charitable activiti
8
1,331,313
40,000
196,968
Total resources expended
1,339,099
40,000
196,968
Net income/(expenditure)
82,543
(40,000)
4,644
Transfer between funds
17
484
-
(484)
Net movement in funds
83,027
(40,000)
4,160
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
539,143
40,000
75,448
Total funds carried forward
622,170
-
79,608		 Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2024
2024
2024
Note
£
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
82,043
-
-
Other Income
4
-
-
-
Income from investment
5
5,505
-
-
Income from charitable activities
6
1,334,094
-
201,612
Total income and endownments
1,421,642
-
201,612
Expenditure on:
Cost of generating funds
7
7,786
-
-
Expenditure on charitable activiti
8
1,331,313
40,000
196,968
Total resources expended
1,339,099
40,000
196,968
Net income/(expenditure)
82,543
(40,000)
4,644
Transfer between funds
17
484
-
(484)
Net movement in funds
83,027
(40,000)
4,160
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
539,143
40,000
75,448
Total funds carried forward
622,170
-
79,608		 Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2024
2024
2024
Note
£
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
82,043
-
-
Other Income
4
-
-
-
Income from investment
5
5,505
-
-
Income from charitable activities
6
1,334,094
-
201,612
Total income and endownments
1,421,642
-
201,612
Expenditure on:
Cost of generating funds
7
7,786
-
-
Expenditure on charitable activiti
8
1,331,313
40,000
196,968
Total resources expended
1,339,099
40,000
196,968
Net income/(expenditure)
82,543
(40,000)
4,644
Transfer between funds
17
484
-
(484)
Net movement in funds
83,027
(40,000)
4,160
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
539,143
40,000
75,448
Total funds carried forward
622,170
-
79,608		 Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2024
2024
2024
Note
£
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
82,043
-
-
Other Income
4
-
-
-
Income from investment
5
5,505
-
-
Income from charitable activities
6
1,334,094
-
201,612
Total income and endownments
1,421,642
-
201,612
Expenditure on:
Cost of generating funds
7
7,786
-
-
Expenditure on charitable activiti
8
1,331,313
40,000
196,968
Total resources expended
1,339,099
40,000
196,968
Net income/(expenditure)
82,543
(40,000)
4,644
Transfer between funds
17
484
-
(484)
Net movement in funds
83,027
(40,000)
4,160
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
539,143
40,000
75,448
Total funds carried forward
622,170
-
79,608		 Total Funds
Total Funds
2024
2023
£
£
82,043
65,564
-
7,040
5,505
2,298
1,535,706
1,395,455
1,421,642 - 201,612 1,623,254
1,470,357
7,786
1,331,313		 -
40,000		 -
196,968		 7,786
16,761
1,568,281
1,362,349
1,339,099 40,000 196,968 1,576,067
1,379,110
82,543
484		 (40,000)
-		 4,644
(484)		 47,187
91,247
-
-
83,027 (40,000) 4,160 47,187
91,247
539,143 40,000 75,448 654,591
579,143
622,170 - 79,608 701,778
654,591

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The charity has no recognised gains or losses other than the surplus for the above year.

Page 18

STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID Charity Number: 1155364 BALANCE SHEET YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Total Funds Total Funds
2024 2023
Note £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 13 8,664 8,574
Current Assets
Debtors 14 152,821 84,505
Cash at bank and in hand 686,857 702,356
Total current assets 839,678 786,861
Creditors amounts falling due within one year 15 (146,564) (140,844)
Net current assets 693,114 646,017
Total assets less current liabilities 701,778 654,591
Net assets 16 701,778 654,591
Charity funds
Unrestricted funds
General funds 622,170 539,143
Designated Fund 0 40,000
______ ______
17 622,170 579,143
Restricted funds
Charity restricted funds 17 79,608 75,448
Total funds 701,778 654,591

iliul moe The financial statements were authorised for issue by the Board on ………..………………………

Signed on its behalf of the Board of Trustees

……………………………………..

Claire Rowcliffe (Chair)

The notes on pages 19 to 32 form part of these financial statements.

Page 19

STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID CASH FLOW STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Cash flow from operating activities
Net income / (expenditure)
Depreciation Charge
Interest from investments
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities
Cash flow from investing activities
Interest received
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Net cash (outflow)/inflow on investing activities
Net increase in cash
Cash at bank at beginning of year
Cash at bank at end of year		 £
£
£
£
47,187
91,247
6,361
5,031
(5,505)
(2,298)
(68,316)
176,331
5,720
(72,346)
(14,553)
197,965
5,505
2,298
(6,451)
(3,186)
(946)
(888)
(15,499)
197,077
702,356
505,279
686,857
702,356
2024
2023

Page 20

STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Statutory Information

Staffordshire Women’s Aid adopted a Charitable Incorporated Organisation Structure on 16 January 2014. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information on page 1 of these financial statements. The nature of the charity’s operations and principal activities is to support victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Accounting Policies

2 Accounting convention

The charity constitutes a public benefit as defined by SORP FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Accounting and reporting for Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and republic of Ireland (Charities SORP FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practic ~~e.~~ The financial statements have been prepared under the historical costs convention and give a true and fair view.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

Income recognition

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities where the charity is legally entitled to the income and any conditions for receipt are met and the amount can be measured with reasonable accuracy. Donated facilities and goods are recognised in income at their fair value when their economic benefit is probable, it can be measured reliably and the charity has control over the item. Fair value is determined on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity. For example, the amount the charity would be willing to pay in the open market for such facilities and goods. A corresponding amount is recognised in expenditure.

Going Concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern

Expenses recognition

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to a particular heading, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

The Charity became Smallwood Trust grant partner for distribution of grants to the service users.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation.

Assets under the value of one hundred pounds are treated as repairs and written off in the year of purchase. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation of Fixed Assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following basis:

Furniture and Equipment, 20% per annum straight line and Office Equipment, 33% per annum straight line.

Page 21

STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

2. Accounting Policies continued

Taxation

The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable entity for tax purposes

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose.

Accrued income

Accrued income represents revenue earned but not invoiced on 31 March 2024. When it is invoiced, it is credited to the accrued income account.

Deferred Income

Deferred income represents revenue collected but not earned as of 31 March 2024. This primarily comprises restricted fund income. When earned it is credited to the Income and expenditure account.

Debtors and creditors receivable / payable within one year

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

Operating Lease commitments

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the income and expenditure account on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

Financial instruments

The charity only enters into basic financial instrument transactions that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities like trade debtors, other debtors, trade creditors and other creditors.

Trustee and related party transactions

No members of management received any remuneration during the year in their capacity as trustee. No Trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year.

Going concern accounting policy

At the time of approving the financial statements the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

==> picture [506 x 54] intentionally omitted <==

Page 22

STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

2. Accounting Policies continued

Government grants

Income from government and other grants are recognised at fair value when the charity has entitlement after any performance conditions have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. If entitlement is not met, then these amounts are deferred.

Grant making

The Charity became Smallwood Trust grant partner for distribution of grants to the service users. The grants distributed as per the grant agreement with Smallwood Trust. The income and expenditure are recorded as restricted in the financial statements.

Total grants paid to individuals for the year ended 31 March 2024 were £24,592 (31 March 2023: £29,001).

Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Accounting estimates and assumptions are made concerning the future and, by their nature, will rarely equal the related actual outcome. The key assumptions and other sources of estimation uncertainty that have a risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are depreciation, accruals, and deferred income.

3 Income from donations and legacies

Donations Unrestricted
Funds
£
82,043
82,043		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-		 Total Funds
Total Funds
2024
2023
£
£
82,043
65,564
82,043
65,564

Included in donations was £30,159 donated goods at fair value (2023 £24,725)

4 Other Income

Women's Aid - Honourarium
DA Counsultancy		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
-
-
-		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-		 Total Funds
Total Funds
2024
2023
£
£
-
6,240
-
800
-
7,040

Page 23

STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

5 Income from investments

5 Income from investments
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Deposit account interest 5,505 - 5,505 2,298
5,505 - 5,505 2,298

6 Income from charitable activities

6 Income from charitable activities
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Charitable grants and dontions 77,514 163,855 241,369 251,673
Central and local government grants
and service level agreements 950,036 37,757 987,793 871,570
Training income 19,200 - 19,200 3,139
Rent 279,221 - 279,221 260,695
Resident contribution to services 8,123 - 8,123 8,378
Total income 1,334,094 201,612 1,535,706 1,395,455

Page 24

STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

6 Income from charitable activities continued

Analysis of charitable grants and donations received, included in the above, are as follows:

AVA (Against Violence and Abuse)
British Enterprise Services (BES)
Staffordshire & Stoke-On-Trent-Together
Active
Santander UK foundation Limited
Sarce Surge Fund
Smallwood Trust (Grant for Women)
Smallwood Trust (Grant management fee)
Smallwood Trust employability
The National Lottery Community Fund
Cannock Chase Churches Housing Coalition
Argos
Carver Wolverhampton
Queen Elizabeth Grant
Enterprise RAC Uk
The Clothes Worker Foundation
The Neigboury Forum
Barton Social Club
Waistrose limited
Keele University
St Luke Church Cannock
The Community Foundation for
Staffordshire
Midlands Express
Sandon Hall
Deamon Solutions Limited
H & J Speake Limited
Staffordshire County Council Councillor
Brocton Golf Club		 £
-
-
3,968
-
Unrestricted
Funds		 £
5,669
-
45,000
-
36,000
-
77,186
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Restricted
Funds		 Total Funds
Total Funds
2024
2023
£
£
-
20,000
5,669
32,000
3,968
5,000
45,000 37,950
5,100 -
36,000 30,000
6,000 6,100
12,500
86,856
75,674
-
20,000
2,000 -
1,520
1,000
2,000
20,000
-
1,000
-
5,000
-
1,000
- 1,554
- 1,172
9,817
3,200
- 1,000
-
2,350
1,339
2,381
-
1,160
2,600
-
-
5,132

5,100
-
6,000
12,500
9,670
-
2,000
1,520
1,000
2,000
20,000
-
-
-
-
-
9,817
-
-
1,339
-
2,600
-
77,514 163,855 241,369
251,673

Page 25

STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

6 Income from charitable activities continued

Analysis of central and local government grants and service level agreements received, included in the above, are as follows:

above, are as follows:
Stafford Borough Council (SLA)
Stafford Borough Council (Refuge)
Stafford Borough Council (Domestic
Abuse)
South Staffordshire Distric Council
(Domestic Abuse)
Cannock Chase Council
Community Based SV Counsellor
Community Based DV Counsellor
OPCC AAC
OPCC CHISVA
Ministry of Justice RASAF
Ministry of Justice ISVA
Mental Health Project
Cannock Chase Council (Homelessness
Cannock Chase District Council (Service
charge reimbursed)
G4S counselling and SARC Surge Fund
MOJ Core grant Additional Funding
MOJ counsellor
Staffordshire
Commissioner
of Police,
Fire and Rescue, and Crime (Counselling)
Staffordshire
Commissioner
of Police,
Fire and Rescue, and Crime (Sexual Abuse
and Assault service)
Staffordshire
Commissioner
of Police,
Fire
and
Rescue
and
Crime
(NHS
Prevention Project)
Staffordshire
Commissioner
of Police,
Fire and Rescue, and Crime		 £
15,000
295,675
14,227
14,227
10,670
43,186
23,736
-
-
49,388
28,579
22,500
5,000
1,204
41,250
7,040
-
41,701
299,723
36,930
-
Unrestricted
Funds		 £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
37,757
Restricted
Funds		 Total Funds
Total Funds
2024
2023
£
£
15,000
15,000
295,675
229,173
14,227
9,485
14,227
11,857
10,670
14,227
43,186
21,593
23,736
17,802
-
12,186
-
18,466
49,388
-
28,579
22,500
-
5,000
5,000
1,204
5,586
41,250
52,325
7,040
4,490
-
20,437
41,701
41,701
299,723
317,555
36,930
36,930
37,757
37,757
950,036 37,757 987,793
871,570

Page 26

STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

7 Expenditure on raising funds

Unrestricted
Funds
£
Staff costs
-
Support Costs
7,786
7,786		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-		 Total Funds
Total Funds
2024
2023
£
£
-
7,294
7,786
9,467
7,786
16,761

8 Expenditure on charitable activities

Unrestricted
Funds		 Designated
Funds		 Restricted
Funds		 Total
Funds		 Total
Funds
2024 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Women's Community Services 354,031 - 172,376 526,407 478,924
Survive Sexual Abuse Service 537,166 - -
 537,166 452,171
Refuge and Dispersed Accomoda 408,001 - - 408,001 370,303
Smallwood Trust Grant -
 - 24,592 24,592 29,001
Contribution to new Women
Centre moving and - 40,000 -
 40,000 -
refurbishment costs #
Govenance costs 32,115 - - 32,115 31,950
1,331,313 40,000 196,968 1,568,281 1,362,349

All grants paid under the grant agreement with Smallwood Trust, were paid to individuals. Women’s Community Services costs include £30,159 donated goods at fair value.

Page 27

STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Expenditure on charitable activites, included in the above, are as follows:

Rent and rates
Telephone, printing and
stationery
Software licences
Websites, Subscriptions and
Publicity
Equipment and repairs
New Women Centre moving
and refurbishment Costs
Lighting and Heating
Insurance
Contracted Out Services
Salaries
Women's subsistance
Smallwood Grants
Office costs
Training
Depreciation
Recruitment and staff welfare
Volunteer expenses
Sundries
Redundancy pay
Trustee expenses
Consultancy
Auditors remuneration
Professional fee
Staff costs		 Designated
Fund
Total Funds
Total Funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
£
206,139
-
2,511
208,650
183,773
12,206
-
26
12,232
17,040
5,224
-
-
5,224
428
7,121
-
516
7,637
10,856
33,553
-
-
33,553
32,895
66,974
40,000
-
106,974
-
4,435
-
708
5,143
7,744
5,738
-
-
5,738
6,241
104,936
-
104,936
106,113
760,607
-
162,574
923,181
867,097
31,568
-
-
31,568
27,177
-
-
24,592
24,592
29,001
11,914
-
-
11,914
9,107
21,658
-
1,188
22,846
4,285
6,361
-
-
6,361
5,040
14,724
-
-
14,724
13,684
3,122
-
4,853
7,975
8,812
-
-
-
-
9
2,022
-
2,022
-
897
-
-
897
680
1,903
-
-
1,903
1,779
3,210
-
-
3,210
3,600
-
-
-
-
416
27,002
-
-
27,002
26,571
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
1,331,313
40,000
196,968
1,568,281
1,362,349

Page 28

STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

9 Trustee expenses

No remuneration or benefits were paid to Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2024 or for the year ended 31 March 2023. During the year the charity spend £275 on room hire, refreshment and meals for eight trustees. The charity also paid for the Open Training from The National Council for Voluntary Organisation (NCVO) for three trustees totalling £622.

Trustees' expenses
10 Fees for audit of the accounts
Auditors fee
11 Operating lease commitments
Within one year
Within two to five years
Operating lease costs during the year were £39,082 (2023: £37,134).
The following operating lease payments are committed to be paid.		 2024
2023
£
£
897
680
2024
2023
£
£
3,360
3,600
2024
2023
£
£
-
-
152,729
250,350
152,729
250,350

The following operating lease payments are committed to be paid.

12 Staff costs

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension
Fundraising
Governance
Charitable activities
average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:		 2024
2023
£
£
856,303
821,302
74,595
73,375
17,445
17,173
948,343
911,850
2024
2023
-
-
3
3
36
35
39
38

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

No employee received remuneration in excess of £60,000

Total key management personal remuneration and benefits for the financial year totalled £51,745.

The charity has two defined contribution pension schemes, a 'money purchase' pension scheme, to which the charity does not contribute, and an auto-enrolment scheme, starting from 1 October 2015 for all eligible employees, to which the charity does contribute. The pension cost to the charity of the autoenrolment pension for 2024 was £17,445 (2023: £17,173).

Included in other creditors are pension liabilities of £188 relating to employee contributions and £4,131 relating to auto-enrolment scheme contributions.

Page 29

STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

13 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 April 2023
Additions
At 31 March 2024
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023
Charge for year
At 31 March 2024
Net Book Value
At 31 March 2023
At 31 March 2024
14 Debtors and prepayments
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments
Accrued Income
15 Creditors and accruals
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals
Taxation and social security
Deferred income		 Furniture and
equipmet
14,751
-
14,751
8,530
2,901
11,431
6,221
3,320		 office
equipment
Total
6,442
21,193
6,451
6,451
12,893
27,644
4,089
12,619
3,460
6,361
7,549
18,980
2,353
8,574
5,344
8,664
2024
2023
£
£
110,732
36,354
1,694
-
4,986
9,961
35,409
38,190
152,821
84,505
2024
2023
£
£
74,932
60,608
5,157
6,311
7,868
6,054
20,077
17,461
38,530
50,410
146,564
140,844

Deferred income reflects grants received in advance for costs and services to be delivered in the next financial year.

Deferred income

Deferred income at 1 April 2023
Resources deferred in the year
Amounts released from previous year
Deferred income as at 31 March 2024		 2024
2023
£
£
50,410
123,915
38,530
50,410
50,410
-
123,915
-
38,530
50,410

Page 30

STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

16 Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
17 Movement in funds
Unrestricted Funds
General funds
Designated funds
Restricted Funds
PADA PAWS project
The National Lottery
Community Fund
Santander Foundation
Santander Foundation-
additional funding
Staffordshire
Commisioner of Police,
Business Enterprise
Service (BES)
Smallwood Trust (Grant
for Women)
Smallwood Trust
(Management Fee)		 At 01.04.23
£
539,143
40,000		 Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
£
£
£
£
8,664
-
-
8,664
760,070
-
79,608
839,678
(146,564)
-
146,564
-
622,170
-
79,608
701,778
Incoming
Resources
Outgoing
Resources
Transfer
Between
Funds
At 31.03.24
£
£
£
£
1,421,642
(1,339,099)
484
622,170
-
(40,000)
-
-
579,143
484
-
57,840
-
9,439
-
6,018
1,667		 1,421,642
(1,379,099)
484
622,170
-
-
(484)
-
77,186
(77,186)
-
-
25,000
(41,764)
-
41,076
20,000
(10,000)
-
10,000
37,757
(37,757)
-
9,439
5,669
(4,002)
-
1,667
36,000
(24,592)
-
17,426
-
(1,667)
-
-
75,448
201,612
(196,968)
-
79,608
654,591
1,623,254
(1,576,067)
-
701,778

Page 31

STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

18. Restricted Funds

The National Lottery Community Fund

The funding received provides a Counselling Service for victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Santander Foundation

The Santander Foundation wants to support UK charities in providing people with the digital confidence, knowledge, and skills to enable then to make better, more informed decisions about money and have access to financial services.

Staffordshire Commissioner Police | Fire and Rescue | Crime

The provision of a service to provide ISVA services for victims of sexual abuse.

Business Enterprise Services (BES)

Partnership with British Enterprise Services (Building Better Opportunities) to support women to access training, education and/or employment.

Smallwood Trust (Delivery of a women’s grants programme)

The funding received is for the management and distribution of grants to women in need of financial support due to domestic and sexual violence.

19. Related party transactions

There are no related party transactions during the year (2023: £ nil).

20. Ultimate controlling party

The ultimate controlling party of the charity is the Board of Trustees.

Page 32